the Creative Thursday blog

there is room for everyone ~ my time at Alt

Well then, I thought it was high time I put my post up about my Alt experience before it becomes a distant memory in the blogosphere.

It will certainly not be a distant memory for me as it was such an eye opening, wonderful experience ~ mostly to be in the company of so many women and a few men who are utterly amazing in what they have accomplished over this last decade.

Not to mention I also fulfilled a long time dream of mine to speak. Ever since I was selected to be a presenter for my advertising competition team in college ~ love at first talk. I LOVE speaking. There I said it. And I want to do more of it. Reason for the photo choice above, I want to remember this.  Much like the idea for teaching finally felt ready, so does speaking. It's time. In my book one needs to accumulate a body of knowledge worth sharing to do either, well.

Even though I was a little nervous, I was surprised at just how much speaking to a room full of people, in person, felt like second nature to me. It's all because of you all! Let's just say the videos I've been doing for you here at the blog and in my e-courses over the last couple of years = a lot of practice. Give me a subject I'm passionate about and it turns out I can prattle on {somewhat intelligently and maybe even mildly entertaining} for a good twenty minutes to an hour, off the cuff with next to no notes.  It helps when you are also supported by your awesome panel members, Ben, EZ and Laura. *love them more*

Speaking of prattling on this is quickly going to turn into one of those super long posts if I don't start sharing my impressions of Alt with you. So here goes in no particular order, what I, an artist visiting a blogger's world, brought back with me from this conference:

• Let's start with the title of this post: "There is room for everyone". And there is. A message I teach and a statement I recite to myself regularly, I never really got it until this conference. Arriving there I was only familiar with a few of my fellow speakers. This means that there were a whole bunch of people who are thriving out there, doing work they love, with their own dedicated following that I had never been aware of until now.
• Which also means I have a lot of new friends to be inspired by
• This means that there is indeed room for you. The internet is vast and wide and if you put great work out there, your people will find you. Now, it may take longer than it did for some of the speakers at Alt ~ simply because there are way more people with online presences than there were in 1999 and even when I started in 2006. But do not let this keep you from going forward with your vision in this online world, because you can find your way
• There is a lot more support than competition in this community which I'll be honest, pleasantly surprised me.
• Groups of bloggers who know each other are not cliques. They are simply people who came up in this world at the same time and have taken the time to get to know each other over the past decade. That creates a bond.
• If you are going to form an opinion about someone online, at least meet them and visit with them in person before you finalize that opinion
• Artists: If you are trying to get any of these design bloggers to post about your work, just know that they now get hundreds of submissions a day. And some have a whole room dedicated to products people have pitched them. Target your submissions accurately. Be patient.
• Attend conferences like this. Just do it. There is absolutely no comparison to what you will learn and the friendships you will make in such a short span of time when you start interacting with your online colleagues in person. Same for retreats. If you've been on the fence, make a promise to yourself that you will attend an event in the next year...yes, that one, you've been meaning to attend...
• If there were 'no new ideas' before, then now there really are no more new ideas. Things are just moving too fast and we have access to almost everything and everyone. If you've got an idea, chances are someone has the same one, and they will execute it.  Don't let that keep you from acting on your idea as well. Just be sure to bring your own unique voice to it, because that will make it feel new again.
• Engagement. It's all about engagement. Nope, not getting married {yet} This is about "how engaged are your readers, your community, your twitter followers, facebook friends etc?"  Turns out this is what matters the most. Common sense really, right? But lately I think everyone has been so caught up in the numbers of it all, how popular they are, that they've lost sight of how loyal those people following them actually are. Fine if you have hundreds of thousands of followers, are they listening? Do you have a loyal following, even if it is only 5 people? If you do then you are building something of value. Now of course if you have huge numbers following and they are loyal, then you've really got something and those are the people who are definitely monetizing this online world. 
• The people with the huge and loyal followings have been building it for years. This is not an overnight venture. This is dedication and relationship building that takes serious commitment.
• If you are going into this to get BIG numbers and that is the only way you are going to feel validated in your work, you might want to re-visit exactly why you are doing what you are doing.
• Because the people we admire most, sure they are good business people but they started their businesses from their heart. The online world is too transparent for it to be any other way. People will recognize if the work you share with the world has heart. And yes, you can succeed with genuine heart, oh and honesty and integrity too.
• This online landscape is changing faster than most of us can keep up with, even those who are leading in this new frontier are making it up as they go *incredible*
• Which means there are no hard and fast rules and this goes for pricing as well, for those of you who are monetizing your work
• Having blog and event sponsors is absolutely a possibility if you have engagement with your readers even if you do not have a huge following yet.
• Events are where it's at. Throwing a party, getting married, celebrating a milestone ~ make it special, make it beautiful and unique and blog, blog, blog it!
• Magazines are here to stay, as they should because so many, like the new Anthology are like books, pieces of art you want to keep
• Be honest in your online presence and in your blog
• The opinions about what to share personally on your blog, are just that personal and they vary widely. There are no rules. It is totally and completely up to you
• Social media does work to grow your following, when done right
• There are some new thoughts on etiquette and ethics in this online world of today and Grace took the time to write up a great and thorough article about this very subject that you will definitely want to read
• People I had a chance to meet for the first time and get to know better  that you should definitely check out if you don't already know them EZ, Erin, Jamie, Liz, Kellen, Christine, Joy, Meg, Grace, Gabby, Laura, Heather, Tina, Danielle, Sarah Jane,  Karey, Ali, Amy, Joslyn {and that's still only a fraction of the people I met and still want to meet}
• And NieNie ~ I'm speechless when it comes to expressing how I feel about meeting NieNie. She is such an incredible human being and just as beautiful in person.
• And hilarious. Did I mention, that a lot of these ladies {and Ben} had me cracking up. Talented and funny ~ now that is a double threat
• Speaking of a double threat. Know your worth
• Ladies, {men you still seem to do better with this one than we do but if you need a little reminder as well}: We need to value the work we do ~ stat.
• The project runway speakers, Seth Aaron and Mondo = totally inspiring and I admit I haven't even watched the show.
• Opportunity is all around you. look for it. 
• Think outside the box
• I am an artist, and for a girl who didn't really want to blog,  I have officially accepted ~ I am also a blogger.
• Confident, accomplished energy is at ease, grounded and lovely to be around. Desperate, needy, chip on your shoulder because it's not happening fast enough is rather unpleasant to be around. You don't have to wait on anything to 'happen' before you embody the confident energy ~ just be it.

That's it in a nutshell. The rest of the info I brought home with me is still sinking in and will find it's way to this blog to share with you, I am sure. Want to see more photos and read more posts? If you are at all passionate about this online creative world I highly recommend attending Alt in the future. Just remember, after reading so much about these kinds events, go in with an open heart and no expectations ~ let it be your own experience.

you know you are sick when...

• tea tastes better than wine
• and water tastes better than tea or wine
• having your formerly favorite morning beverage of choice, coffee, feels like a distant memory
• nothing in your life feels like it fits anymore
• because suddenly you feel like you have to move away from the city you have been living in for 10 years {I'm talking about you Los Angeles}
• you hear your new neighbor pace her garden while chatting loudly on her cell pone about her business and it sounds like she is screaming
• {now you really have to move}
• all of your cookbook recipes annoy you because 
• food does not taste good
• the most comforting sound to you is that of your cat snoring because she is napping next to you
• your  big plan for the day is to make it through what has to be done, so you can nap again
• no matter how many good nights of sleep and three hour naps you take, you are still exhausted
• writing a once sentence email feels like it will take too much time to craft
• any and all tasks take you three times as long to complete
• the only blog post you can craft is one with a lot of bullet points
• you will only wear your new cry wolf, panda sweatshirt because it is SO comfy and soft
• a super soft kleenex is like heaven
• you call your acting agent and tell him you are moving {are you noticing a theme?}
• you long to feel yourself again, so you can get back to work and act upon all those ideas inspired by the amazing conference you attended last week {& you haven't even been able to write your blog post about said conference}
• you long to feel yourself again...
• you almost break into tears when a stranger tells you "isn't it such a beautiful day today?" ~ because up until that moment you were definitely moving away because you thought that all the people in Los Angeles were wretched. turns out they are not
• you think you are feeling better, so you run some errands and realize that you are driving 5 miles per hour ~ back to bed
• giving into the down time, blankets, cozy socks, warm hugs, hot tea, cats who snuggle, a good movie, and the glow of your new star globe start to make you feel better

Here's to a return to living sometime next week. Wishing you a happy weekend and to those of you who might be feeling under the weather too ~ Feel Better Soon!

this is how much fun I had.

Ok, well just a glimpse of how much fun I had. Seriously, I look like a little kid holding that heart. ;)

In fact I had a little too much fun, because I've been *sickie* for the last couple of days. It's just killing me to be so filled with new knowledge, inspiration and ideas and not be able to act on them. But then again, being under the weather can be just the thing to force a self-employed entrepreneur to take the down time they need.

This means I will be back soon with more thoughts and photos from my time at Alt. It was a fantastic experience and I am seriously SO FIRED UP ~ as soon as I put my kleenex down.

My friends in the kate spade party photo booth from above, Kellen, Lulu, Christine, Willo {thank you for this photo!}, Aya. love them!

Embracing it all

I traveled to Salt Lake City yesterday. So excited to be here. And a funny thing happens whenever I travel, I feel ready for new beginnings. Maybe it has something to do with the experience that flying brings ~ the sense of freedom, limitless possibility and the opportunity to literally see the world from a new perspective.

Also, after writing my post last week and reading through all of your thoughtful comments, I came to a new conclusion. I am embracing it all.

I think some of the stress and overwhelm comes from the resistance that comes from thinking that I have to focus on more than just one facet of me. A creative entrepreneur filled with so many ideas, passions, a genuine love for life {on most days} that's who I am.  And when I embrace this, that is when my life flows with ease.

Then also, this week Sean's sister Maura sent me an email with this quote that I think sums it up perfectly. 

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between her work and her play; her labor and her love; her mind and her body; her education and her recreation.  She hardly knows which is which.  She simply pursues her vision of excellence through whatever she is doing and leaves others to determine whether she is working or playing.  To her she always appears to be doing both."

Have a wonderful week everyone. I will be speaking, and whooping it up at Alt over the next few days, so I'll see you on the other side, or of course you can follow along on my adventures over at twitter.

Maybe that's it ~ we are all just learning how to master the art of living

making tiny valentine's, I mean business cards

 

 *Edit* Sunday, January 16 ~ the inspiration of DIY business cards kept on going... and today I came up with a gocco design that I love. Now, not only was I productive while watching the Golden Globes tonight, but there is another business card design/valentine to be added to the mix. Just know that if you get one of my business cards at Alt, it has been created by hand by me, it is a one of a kind tiny piece of art  infused with love for you. Mwah!

 

Do you all know Ez of Creature Comforts? 

Her blog is beautiful and inspiring. just is. In fact in a recent post she shared a tutorial on making some new business cards. You see, she is also speaking at Alt. In fact, we are speaking on the same panel! And she realized that she needed new business cards a little too late in the game to get a rush order placed.  So she made some. They are lovely, and each one is a tiny original piece of art.

This is when it also occurred to me that I too am out of business cards, so inspired by Ez I decided to make some of my own as well. A combination of card stock originally intended for bookmarks, cut in half, a printed label with all the pertinent details accompanied by a character, adorned with a heart sticker or two {in the spirit of the season} should be noted that some of them are total spangle, puffy with glitter! signed by me, oh and I'm going to town on some of them with my Martha Stewart punch. 

When you create for a living sometimes it's nice just to create for fun. As I'm making these, instead of thinking of them as business cards, I'm imagining giving them to people as a tiny valentine's wish. 

Sometimes I feel split

 
The bio on my twitter page goes like this "a creative entrepreneur who will never be boxed in, but if you insist on putting me in a box, you can start with artist"

You may be familiar with the story about why I decided to name my business 'Creative Thursday'? Well it had to do with the sentiment above. I knew when I named my company 'Creative Thursday' it would allow me to pursue any and all of my creative passions. And boy has it.

That's just the thing. I'm sitting here today a week before I head off to Alt to be a speaker, wondering who I am exactly? 

Am I an

Artist?

 blogger?

in person teacher?

online teacher?

speaker?

fabric designer?

sales rep?

accountant?

shipper?

house cleaner?

cook?

writer?

collaborator?

online community leader?

online personality?

 podcaster?

 designer?

girlfriend?

friend?

daughter?

a cat caretaker? ;)

The truth is I don't really have time to write this blog post today but blogging is a creative expression I love and inspiration struck. And I promised myself coming into this new year, when creative inspiration strikes I would do my best to follow it. BECAUSE, that's why I started this business!!!! But, here's the thing...I am now in a position where inspiration strikes in so many areas, I cannot possibly follow them all simultaneously and still do the daily tasks of maintaining a business and a life.

I know I've talked about balance many times on this blog. And I am making progress, but as I make progress, it seems I am also adding more to my repertoire. I accept full responsibility for this. This really became clear when yesterday morning I had all the best intentions of straightening my studio. I was into the straightening a good 30 minutes and the phone rang.

• It was my art director with the fabric company. I was expecting her call and it was important that we connect about the fabric designs. Also due to the time difference between us there are only certain times we can connect.
• Then I realized that I still needed to prepare some final details in the 'fish bowl' for the new group of participants who are joining me for this session. 
• Then I made a call to my licensing company announcing the new fabric line and discussing how to proceed on the next project we have in the works
• The usual emailing peppered throughout these tasks
• A moment for eating
• Ordering some things online that I need for my trip next week
• Re-learning how to add a particular widget to my blog, one that I have added before, 5 months ago, only to have completely forgotten how to do it...and even with step by step instructions, it still took me 1 1/2 hours to complete. Part of that 1 1/2 hrs. was spent simply finding the step by step instructions. Oi!
• Tweeting throughout this experience to keep my social media presence alive and strong
• And then it was 4:30 pm. I had a headache and I was still tripping over boxes in my studio. I had not yet returned a call from a friend about a tentative plan we have for this week, I also had not even touched the images I need to prepare for my designer who is working on my website re-design...

No need to continue on with the list. I'm sure many of you can relate to this kind of day. For the record, this is not a 'complaint post'. {although I will openly complain about how technical challenges drain my mind and my time} You know I love what I do but when I write it down like this, I know that quite often I have one too many plates spinning in the air simultaneously. I am actually pretty good at the plate spinning thing, but when it consumes and exhausts me ~ not so good.

Sean and I have regular discussions about men and women and our working habits; primarily about men's ability to focus and women's ability to multi-task. I have no doubt that there is truth to this, as was evidenced by the fact that when I told Sean what I tried accomplishing yesterday, he said "I don't know how you do it?" Truth is neither do I. 

Which brings me to the point I want to make with this post. All of these streams I have flowing to and from my business at the present time, all feel right. I am excited about them. I am inspired. Not to mention multiple streams of income is in my opinion a necessity for the self-employed. But. Here's my question.

Would my business thrive more if I wore fewer hats? Would I thrive more?

Overall I have a steadily growing business, but am I slowing down one side by focusing on another? Painting and teaching are two different disciplines. {btw the photos above, one of me teaching at Squam and the other is the only one I could find of me in front of my art at my very first, ever show, a group show that Outi, Cathy, Melissa, Patricia and I put on that we called 'the darklings' 2005} What if I was just a painter? Blogging by writing or  photography, or shooting a video, also different disciplines. Some of these activities are more internally focused while others are more externally focused. What if I was just a blogger? Am I the kind of person that would feel satisfied focusing on just one discipline?

All of these disciplines are creative, and all of them feed me. It's just my nature to get inspired and want to explore all of it. The problem happens when I don't give my full attention to any one discipline when I am in it. I'm almost always thinking of that 'other thing' I should be doing. The challenge with that is I never fully get into a momentum with one type of activity which is where I really do my best work. I think it's fair to say that the way the world is operating today, it seems to be more challenging than ever to stay focused. It's almost like you have to shut yourself away and be fiercely disciplined and specific about what you are giving your attention to.

I will do it. I will learn to live and work with ease. Which is why I'm asking myself these questions only 12 days in to this new year. {It's true, I am already longing to go back to my holiday vacation time} I will flow gently with the stream, not against it. I will not let the stream feel like a rapid that is tossing and speeding me through my life.

Since I don't have the answer to these questions yet, the best I can do is recognize that I did do something different yesterday. When I felt myself hit my limit. I stopped cold. I stepped away from the messy studio and my work, relaxed with Sean and I think we may have even left dirty dishes in the sink. I reminded myself that everything will get done. It always does.

Since I know I'm not alone in these experiences, how are you all finding your way with this out there? Do you even have time to read a post this lengthy these days? Do you feel split?

phone is off. email is closed. twitter is closed. I will finish straightening my studio now.

love is in the air

6 x 6 in.

The idea for this one came to me while I was cleaning my house. I share this with you because if you are at all like me? you are a free spirit who might *sometimes* get frustrated because the daily tasks of maintaining a life don't always leave enough room for creative time.

But here's what I realized today: If you stay open, you can experience creative inspiration no matter what task you have before you. Funny because the painting idea that came to me illustrates perfectly the thought I'm trying to convey. Ideas, opportunity, possibility, creativity and love {of course!} are all around you.

I forgot that focusing on something completely different can be the perfect doorway for a new idea to come in. In fact during the continuation of my house cleaning escapades, I even felt inspired to shoot a short video sharing more about me and some details about "In the Fish Bowl. Life as an Artist Online" ~ for those of you who might be getting know this free-spirited creative for the very first time.

{original is sold}

kicking the new year off with a bang! big news!!

 

It's official. I signed the contract. You can see me sign it with all my nerves and excitement in the video above. ;)

I am so, so, so excited to announce that:

I'm designing a fabric line this year with Andover Fabrics out of New York!!

Thank you to Sarah Jane for inspiring me, especially to share this moment on video. And thank YOU Lizzy for so much!!! And thanks to all of you who have been supporting my work and encouraging my creativity all along the way. xo

That's it, that's all I can write. If I write any more it will just be a big bunch of exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, no, no

 

This is one of those videos that is making the internet rounds. If you haven't seen it yet, oh you must! Outi told me about it yesterday and I can't stop watching it. I love it so much, it hurts. 

sarah in the snow

4 x 4 in.

First painting of the new year ~ title courtesy of Sean ;)

{click here to buy original}